Tamuke / Offering

This piece is a 'honkyoku' (本曲), the original or main meditative pieces of the shakuhachi, created and performed in the context of Zen Buddhism. These pieces can be considered 'blowing Zen'. The term 'tamuke' (手向) refers to making spiritual offerings to the Buddha. Originating from the Ise district of Japan, "Tamuke" can function similarly to the requiem and the elegy of western classical music. It is a pray for the safe passage not only through death, but importantly also through life.